Opponents not invited to Muskrat Falls briefing

The latest numbers on Muskrat Falls are creating a controversy in Labrador — not because of the numbers themselves, but because of who the government and Nalcor invited to attend their briefing on the figures.

All the people invited were supporters of Muskrat Falls, including Happy Valley-Goose Bay Mayor Leo Abass and former cabinet minister John Hickey.

Labrador West MHA Nick McGrath says they invited stakeholders to the event, but opponents of the project were not on the guest list. (Government of Newfoundland and Labrador)

"We just wanted to invite people, stakeholders that will be affected by the development of the project," said Nick McGrath, the provincial PC minister responsible for Labrador.

That comment has groups that oppose the project fuming.

Denise Cole, who's with Friends of the Grand River, says damming the river definitely affects her members.

"When you invite everybody who's for this project and you leave us all out, it tells us that our opinion means nothing," said Cole.

The Innu Nation and representatives of the Inuit government, Nunatsiavut, received invitations.

The NunatuKavut Community Council, however, was left out. That aboriginal group, formerly known as the Labrador Métis Nation, is fighting the project.